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MINOT, N.D. — August 24, 2026 — The FBI is asking the public for information that could identify the person or persons responsible for the 2017 hit-and-run death of Jon Nicholas Patnaude in Belcourt, North Dakota.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of those responsible for Patnaude’s death. The renewed appeal is part of a broader federal effort to direct additional investigative resources toward unresolved violent-crime cases in Indian Country.
According to the FBI, Patnaude was struck by an unknown vehicle on BIA Road 10 on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation on July 16, 2017.
The FBI’s current seeking-information notice provides additional detail, stating that the collision occurred at approximately 2:48 a.m. Patnaude died from the injuries he sustained in the hit-and-run.
Because the death occurred on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, the FBI is investigating the matter under federal jurisdiction granted by the Major Crimes Act. The Bureau has not publicly identified a suspect or vehicle in connection with the current appeal.
The reward is tied to the FBI’s expanded focus on unresolved crimes in Tribal communities through Operation Steadfast Promise and Operation Not Forgotten.
Operation Steadfast Promise is described by the FBI as a comprehensive surge of resources targeting a broad range of violent-crime threats in Indian Country, including gangs and criminal enterprises, crimes against children, fugitive apprehension cases, and other threats affecting public safety in Tribal communities.
Under that broader effort, Operation Not Forgotten focuses on unresolved cases, with the stated goals of advancing investigations, providing services to victims, and identifying offenders who have not yet been brought to justice.
Christopher D. Dotson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office, said investigators remain committed to finding answers for Patnaude’s family and emphasized that information from a single person could be enough to move the case forward.
The FBI’s public notice makes clear that investigators are still seeking information concerning the individuals responsible for Patnaude’s death rather than treating the case as closed. The current reward applies to information that ultimately leads to both an arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information concerning Patnaude’s death is being asked to contact the FBI’s Minot, North Dakota Resident Agency at (701) 852-5071.
Information can also be provided through a local FBI field office, the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or through the FBI’s online tip system.
The Bureau’s renewed August 2026 appeal places the case among unresolved Indian Country investigations receiving additional federal attention under Operation Steadfast Promise and Operation Not Forgotten.
Investigators are asking anyone who may remember activity on or near BIA Road 10 during the early morning hours of July 16, 2017, or who has information concerning the vehicle or individuals responsible, to come forward.
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This is a deeply moving and important appeal for justice. After so many years, it is encouraging to see the FBI renew its efforts to find answers in the tragic death of Jon Nicholas Patnaude.
For a family, an unresolved loss can leave an especially painful question behind: What happened, and who was responsible? No reward can undo the tragedy, but renewed investigative attention can bring hope that someone with knowledge of the incident may finally come forward.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment.
I agree, and I hope bringing this case back into the public eye helps reach the person who may know something that can finally make a difference. After all these years, that possibility still matters. Thank you for reading. 😎